Magnetic chalkboards
Magnetic chalkboard
Strolling about at Saturday Market in Portland I ran across these totally awesome magnetic chalkboards. The surface is magnetic–which is how it holds the cute little heart magnet and chalk holder–and you can write on it with chalk.
Fabulous idea. And to add the whipped cream and cherry, many of these boards are sporting positive messages. LOVE it.
You can find these at Saturday Market in the Oh My Stars! booth by Tonya Gray or at GrayGirlArt.com.
Portland Japanese Garden
Japanese Garden (photo by Roy McKeag)
The Portland Japanese Garden is breath-taking. 5.5 acres that are sure to induce a zen-like state in those who wander through its carefully appointed grounds.
Every pebble is intentionally placed, every tree masterfully pruned. The koi are mesmerizing and a blanket of moss covers rocks.
If you’re ever looking for something awesome to do with your day in Portland, a few hours at the Japanese Garden is it.
Reed Sandridge
Reed Sandridge (right) (by Katherine Frey/the Washington Post)
Many thanks to Melia Dicker (previously featured on 365 Awesome! herself) for this post suggestion.
Reed Sandridge dealt with being laid off a little differently than most. He began a year of giving away $10 a day to a stranger.
On his blog, Year of Giving, he explains why:
My goal is not to change the lives of those with whom I come in contact. Let’s face it, $10 dollars is not going to change someone’s life in and of itself. I do believe, however, that the act of giving will hopefully inspire others to pursue the ideals that the French philosopher Auguste Comte envisioned when he coined the term “altruism.” Whether that comes in the form of someone who reads this blog and wants to embark on their own Year of Giving or someone who uses the $10 to help someone else out, the specific results are less important than the overall good that we can achieve together.
Read more about Reed in the Washington Post.
Powell’s Books
Powell's Books
If you’ve been to Portland, chances are you’ve been to Powell’s Books. Powell’s is the definitive book store. One square city block, Powells is several floors and a myriad of rooms of books. New books, used books, audio books, you name it.
Looking for that out-of-print favorite? Interested in a rare find? Don’t want to pay too much for your school texts? Powell’s is the place for you. Their online site, Powells.com
The store is also host to many fantastic events and green initiatives. Have a bunch of books you don’t know what to do with? Sell them to Powell’s for cash or store credit and turn them into new books. It’s an awesome, endless cycle!
Gazelle.com
Today’s recommendation comes to is from Cathy Wellner of Hailey, Idaho. Thanks, Cathy!
Gazelle.com
Gazelle.com is an organization that will help get your old electronics off your hands and back into circulation. Using a “reuse first” model, gazelle will purchase usable items for resale. It will even help orgs set up electronics collections for fundraisers.
Recycling is great. Reusing is excellent. Getting paid for both is awesome.
Salerno sanitation department
This suggestion comes to us from Leslie Haramis (my aunt). We’re traveling together in Italy. When I asked her what we’d seen that was awesome, she didn’t say “temples” or “churches” or “the sea.” “I think the sanitation department is awesome!” She declared.
Salerno santiation worker
Every morning, we sit out on our patio and watch the world go by. People hang their laundry, go to work, walk their dogs. And each morning, the sanitation department comes by to empty whatever trash or recycling is picked up that day (they pick up different things on different days). This week, my aunt called to me to come see what was happening.
We both watched as the sanitation worker emptied the trash container and then proceeded to spray it down with disinfectant, rinse it out and wipe it off. What? I have to say I’ve never noticed an odor when I’ve walked by the communal trash cans on the street. I guess this is why. Awesome.
Wood-fired bread
I’m visiting Italy. One of the greatest things I’ve been introduced to is wood-fired bread. “Pane, cotto nel forno a legna” is a staple here.
Bread, peppers and eggplant parmesan cooked in a wood-fired oven
The bread is crusty, flatish, and often delightfully salty, with a slight smoky flavor. It’s good. Everything is good baked in the great, wood ovens. Pizza, pasta, veggies. All of it is fantastic.
Vodafone internet key
For travelers who want or need access to the internet, extended vacations can be challenging. At 1 or 2 Euro per hour, internet cafes can be expensive for work applications, and things like streaming video aren’t really practical.
If you’re looking for a way to stay connected on a long trip, without totally breaking the bank, I recommend the Vodafone internet key.
Vodafone internet key
I found thins thing on my last trip to Italy. My local hostesses were using one, so I checked it out. Here’s how it works: you buy the hardware in-country – a flashdrive with SIM and memory cards. Mine cost $69 Euro. Then you pre-purchase a plan. Currently, I pay 1 Eruo for each day I sign on. That’s it. I get unlimited time on the internet and 50M of data. Each day. Much better than 1 Euro/hour.
I Just plug it into your laptop, and I’m off and running. And when my trip’s over, I just pack up my key and save it for the next trip. That’s awesome!
Paestum
The Italian city of Paestum is beautiful. In an eerie, peaceful kind of way. It’s home to an ancient site. The greatest number of Greek temples outside of Greece. It’s stunning.
Temple of Neptune, Paestum, Italy
The ancient city is quiet (mosquitos killed everyone off like a zillion years ago), and really, really beautiful.
Pizzerias, gelato shops and vendor stalls fill the main street, and the museum plays host to an ancient Greek tomb painting. The painting shows a diver, mid leap as he moves from the physical world into the afterlife. Plunging fearlessly and gracefully. Beautiful. Awesome.
The people of Potenza Italy
Yesterday, my aunt and I visited the city of Potenza Italy. We found the people there to be amazingly helpful and kind. Just in asking for directions, we ended up with rides both to and from the train station – which was quite a way from the city center.
The people of Potenza giving us a ride.
Strangers guided us the whole day, making us feel loved and safe.
If you ever find yourself in southern Italy, I recommend visiting Potenza. The people there are awesome.
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